US20170326565A1 - Extended Emission Time Liquid Sprayer - Google Patents
Extended Emission Time Liquid Sprayer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170326565A1 US20170326565A1 US15/150,617 US201615150617A US2017326565A1 US 20170326565 A1 US20170326565 A1 US 20170326565A1 US 201615150617 A US201615150617 A US 201615150617A US 2017326565 A1 US2017326565 A1 US 2017326565A1
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- Prior art keywords
- dispensation
- chamber
- liquid
- piston
- sprayer apparatus
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Classifications
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- B05B11/3014—
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/0005—Components or details
- B05B11/0062—Outlet valves actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed
- B05B11/0064—Lift valves
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
- B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
- B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
- B05B11/1009—Piston pumps actuated by a lever
- B05B11/1012—Piston pumps actuated by a lever the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the neck of the container
- B05B11/1014—Piston pumps actuated by a lever the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the neck of the container the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the container
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/0005—Components or details
- B05B11/0062—Outlet valves actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed
- B05B11/0075—Two outlet valves being placed in a delivery conduit, one downstream the other
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/0005—Components or details
- B05B11/0089—Dispensing tubes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
- B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
- B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
- B05B11/1009—Piston pumps actuated by a lever
- B05B11/1011—Piston pumps actuated by a lever without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
- B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
- B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
- B05B11/1023—Piston pumps having an outlet valve opened by deformation or displacement of the piston relative to its actuating stem
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
- B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
- B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
- B05B11/1023—Piston pumps having an outlet valve opened by deformation or displacement of the piston relative to its actuating stem
- B05B11/1025—Piston pumps having an outlet valve opened by deformation or displacement of the piston relative to its actuating stem a spring urging the outlet valve in its closed position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
- B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
- B05B11/1094—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle having inlet or outlet valves not being actuated by pressure or having no inlet or outlet valve
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- B05B11/3025—
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- B05B11/3094—
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
- B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
- B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
- B05B11/1004—Piston pumps comprising a movable cylinder and a stationary piston
Definitions
- the present invention relates to manual liquid sprayers generally, and more particularly to a liquid sprayer apparatus that permits semi-continuous emission with discontinuous manual pumping.
- Liquid spray apparatus are widely used in a variety of applications.
- the simplest form of a liquid spray apparatus involves a manual pump mechanically connected to a piston that operates to draw liquid from a container, and also to discharge liquid from a collection chamber.
- a manual pump trigger is actuated by the user to move a piston in a collection chamber against a spring force to discharge liquid from the collection chamber out through an orifice.
- the spring force acts to push the piston back toward an initial position, wherein a reduced pressure is developed in the collection chamber as a motive force to drive liquid from the container into the collection chamber.
- one-way valves at the inlet and the outlet of the collection chamber control the collection and discharge of the liquid.
- liquid is dispensed from the sprayer only as the actuator is manipulated to move the piston through the collection chamber during the “discharge” portion of the cycle. In other words, liquid is not dispensed from the sprayer apparatus during the “collection” portion of the pumping cycle.
- a pressure sprayer in which a pressure, typically pneumatic, is developed in a chamber through either manual or automatic means. Release from the pressure chamber is controlled by a valve that may be selectively operated by the user to introduce an elevated pressure into a liquid chamber, thereby driving liquid out from the liquid chamber through an orifice. Liquid emission will continue for so long as sufficient driving pressure is available in the pressure chamber.
- pressure sprayers are useful for continuous spray applications, the mechanisms involved are typically more expensive to produce than the manual individual pump cycle spray apparatus described above, since pressure sprayers require a pressure chamber separate from the liquid chamber, and/or additional valving to accommodate the pressurization mechanism.
- a liquid spray apparatus may exhibit a spray dispensation time that is substantially greater than a discharge phase of a pump cycle of a manual pump mechanism.
- the liquid spray dispensation time may be extended through the use of an adjustable volume dispensation chamber, in coordination with an outlet orifice of desired dimension.
- the adjustable volume dispensation chamber is facilitated by a movable piston acting against fluid pressure developed in the manual pumping action. Liquid spray dispensation initiates upon reaching a threshold fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber.
- a liquid sprayer apparatus in one embodiment, includes a collection chamber having a valve-controlled inlet and a valve-controlled outlet, with the collection chamber being defined at least in part by a charge piston.
- An actuator for moving the charge piston against a first restorative force is included to adjust a collection volume of the collection chamber.
- the apparatus further includes a dispensation chamber fluidically connected to the collection chamber through the valve-controlled outlet.
- the dispensation chamber is defined in part by a displaceable wall that is moveable against a second restorative force to adjust a dispensation volume of the dispensation chamber.
- the apparatus includes a discharge valve openable against a third restorative force by at least a threshold fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber to discharge liquid from a dispensation chamber.
- the discharge valve in a closed condition, exhibits a first initial pressure resistance that is greater than a second initial pressure resistance of the displaceable wall in a rest condition. Pressure resistance is defined by:
- a liquid sprayer apparatus in another embodiment, includes a liquid container having an opening, and a spray mechanism sealingly engaegable to the liquid container adjacent to the opening in order to fluidically communicate with an interior of the liquid container.
- the spray mechanism includes a main body defining a first channel with a first channel wall and a second channel with a second channel wall fluidically connected to each other through a first passage.
- a charge piston coordinates with the first channel wall to define a collection chamber, with the charge piston itself defining a third channel through which liquid may be introduced to the collection chamber.
- a one-way inlet valve permits liquid flow from the container to the collection chamber.
- the spray apparatus further includes a dispensation piston and a discharge valve base coordinating with the second channel wall to define a dispensation chamber, wherein the dispensation piston is responsive to a fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber.
- a one-way outlet valve permits liquid flow from the collection chamber to the dispensation chamber through the first passage.
- An actuator is provided with the spray apparatus for selectively moving the charge piston with respect to the first channel wall against a first restorative force to reduce a collection chamber volume of the collection chamber.
- a one-way discharge valve is provided to permit liquid flow from the dispensation chamber through a second passage in the discharge valve base, wherein the discharge valve opens when the fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber exceeds a first threshold pressure.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention during a discharge phase of a pump cycle;
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention during a discharge phase of a pump cycle
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention during liquid dispensation
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention during a collection phase of a pump cycle.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an effective surface area of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention.
- a liquid sprayer apparatus 10 includes a liquid container 12 and an opening 14 for access to interior 16 of liquid container 12 .
- a neck 18 may surround opening 14 , and may provide a convenient location for engagement with spray mechanism 20 .
- a skirt closure 22 may engage with neck 18 , such as through a threadable engagement.
- a gasket 24 is supported by a valve base 26 to create a sealing engagement with neck 18 of liquid container 12 when skirt closure 22 securely engages with neck 18 .
- Valve base 26 is secured to main body 28 , which defines a first channel 30 with a first channel wall 32 and a second channel 34 with a second channel wall 36 .
- the first and second channels 30 , 34 of main body 28 may be fluidically connected through a first passage 38 .
- charge piston 40 coordinates with first channel wall 32 to define a collection chamber 42 having a valve-controlled inlet 44 and a valve controlled outlet 46 .
- a one-way inlet valve 48 may be secured at a position to establish an openable seal with charge piston 40 , and may particularly be positioned adjacent to a third channel 50 of charge piston 40 to control liquid passage from third channel 50 to collection chamber 42 .
- One-way inlet valve 48 is illustrated in FIG. 3 in a closed condition, with a valve flange 50 contacting a valve seat surface 52 to block transmission of liquid into or out from collection chamber 42 .
- charge piston 40 includes a first portion 41 that is in slidable engagement with first channel wall 32 to define at least a portion of collection chamber 42 .
- Charge piston 40 includes a second portion 49 that defines third channel 50 through which fluid flow may be directed from liquid container 12 to collection chamber 42 (through valve-controlled inlet 44 ).
- Second portion 49 is slidable with respect to valve base 26 , and sealingly engaged thereto with, for example, an O-ring gasket 54 .
- An actuator 56 includes a trigger portion 58 and a lift portion 60 , wherein actuator 56 is secured to main body 28 at a pivot 62 . Operation of actuator 56 occurs through the application and release of force against trigger portion 58 , wherein an applied force against trigger portion 58 causes rotation of actuator 56 about pivot 62 , which, in turn, rotates lift portion 60 about pivot 62 . In the illustrated orientation, application of force against trigger portion 58 results in generally counter-clockwise rotation of lift portion 60 about pivot 62 . Actuator 56 is mounted with lift portion 60 adjacent to bearing surface 43 of charge piston 40 , so that rotational movement of lift portion 60 about pivot 62 moves charge piston 40 with respect to first channel wall 32 .
- Such movement is applied against a first restorative force that is generated by, for example, a first spring 64 .
- Other devices such as elastic or resilient bodies, and the like are also contemplated as being capable of generating the first restorative force against charge piston 40 .
- the first restorative force exerted upon charge piston 40 is transferred to actuator 56 at lift portion 60 , to thereby act against an operation force applied to trigger portion 58 .
- actuator 56 is urged by first spring 64 to rotate about pivot 62 to a base condition. Movement of charge piston 40 with respect to first channel wall 32 adjusts a collection volume of collection chamber 42 .
- collection chamber 42 is defined by surfaces of one-way inlet valve 48 , charge piston 40 , first channel wall 32 , one-way outlet valve 66 , and outlet valve base 68 to which outlet valve 66 is secured.
- Outlet valve base 68 is secured to main body 28 .
- Spray mechanism 20 may further include a dispensation piston 70 that coordinates with second channel wall 36 , as well as with a discharge valve base 80 and a discharge valve 90 to define a dispensation chamber 72 that is fluidically connected to collection chamber 42 through valve-controlled outlet 46 and first passage 38 .
- one-way outlet valve 66 may include a flange 67 that contacts a seat portion 69 of outlet valve base 68 to block liquid transmission between collection chamber 42 and dispensation chamber 72 when outlet valve 66 is in a closed condition.
- Dispensation piston 70 is sealingly and slidably engaged with second channel wall 36 .
- one or more gaskets are press-fit or otherwise position between dispensation piston 70 and second channel wall 36 .
- Dispensation piston 70 is preferably responsive to a fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 , wherein dispensation piston 70 is movable against a second restorative force to adjust a dispensation volume of dispensation chamber 72 .
- Dispensation piston 70 may include a wall 76 that is displaceable in its position relative to countervailing forces acting upon it.
- fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 exerts a fluid force on dispensation piston 70 , acting against the second restorative force that may be supplied by, for example, a second spring 76 .
- Mechanisms other than second spring 76 such as elastic or resilient bodies, however, are contemplated as being useful in generating the second restorative force urging dispensation piston 70 .
- Discharge valve base 80 may be secured to main body 28 to aid in positioning discharge valve 90 and dispensation piston 70 in second channel 34 .
- one or more of stop flange 82 and end flange 84 of discharge valve base 80 may act as a stop limiter to arrest movement of dispensation piston 70 at the urging of the second restorative force in the absence or insufficiency of a fluid force exerted by a fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 .
- the illustration of FIG. 3 shows dispensation piston 70 urged against stop flange 82 of discharge valve base 80 .
- Stop flange 82 may also provide a mount location for discharge valve cap 92 , which includes an aperture 94 for permitting liquid flow passing through discharge valve 90 to transmit to orifice 100 in nozzle 102 .
- Discharge valve 90 is arranged for permitting liquid flow from dispensation chamber 72 through a second passage 86 in discharge valve base 80 , wherein discharge valve 90 opens when the fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 exceeds a first threshold pressure.
- discharge valve 90 includes a plunger 95 urged into contact with a discharge valve seat structure 96 by a third restorative force when discharge valve 90 is in a closed condition.
- the third restorative force may, in some embodiments, be provided by a third spring 98 , though other mechanisms are contemplated as providing the third restorative force in discharge valve 90 to permit one-way fluid flow out from dispensation chamber 72 .
- inlet valve 48 , outlet valve 66 , and discharge valve 90 are illustrated in FIG. 3 in a closed condition. Fluid flow through spray mechanism 20 will be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.
- a shroud 104 may be removably secured to main body 28 for both aesthetic and functional purposes.
- Tube 106 may be provided for conveying liquid from container 12 to third channel 50 of charge piston 40 .
- tube 106 may be connected to second portion 49 of charge piston 40 , wherein tube 106 moves with charge piston 40 , as driven by actuator 56 and first spring 64 . Accordingly, tube 106 may preferably be sufficiently long to maintain submersion in the liquid in container 12 when tube 106 is moved upwardly with charge piston 40 during a pump cycle.
- an aspect of the present invention is the continuous or semi-continuous liquid emission from spray mechanism 20 during and between repeated pump cycles to actuator 56 .
- the relationship among dispensation piston 70 and discharge valve 90 with the fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 permits extended liquid discharge intervals that may continue for a period of time after actuator 56 (and charge piston 40 ) have ceased to be moved against the first restorative force. Such extended time liquid discharge may be facilitated by dispensation piston 70 , and the potential energy accumulated by second spring 76 as a result of fluid pressure buildup in dispensation chamber 72 .
- Conversion of the accumulated potential energy in second spring 76 to kinetic spring expansion energy may arise when a first threshold pressure in dispensation chamber 72 is exceeded, causing discharge valve 90 to open and permit discharge of liquid from dispensation chamber 72 out through second passage 86 , and ultimately out from spray mechanism 20 at orifice 100 of nozzle 102 .
- liquid discharge from spray mechanism 20 may occur independently from the operational status of actuator 56 , in that liquid discharge may occur even when an operating force has been removed from trigger portion 58 to allow first spring 64 to urge charge piston 40 back to a base position.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a “base” condition for spray mechanism 20 , in which each of inlet valve 48 , outlet valve 66 , and discharge valve 90 are in a closed condition, and each of charge piston 40 and dispensation piston 70 are in a base position, urged by respective restorative forces against a support structure.
- each of springs 64 , 76 , and 98 may be in compression with respective restorative forces continuing to act against respective structures.
- FIG. 4 represents a first phase of a pumping cycle in which an operating force “F 1 ” is applied by a user against trigger portion 58 of actuator 56 to correspondingly move charge piston 40 against the first restorative force developed by first spring 64 .
- This movement of charge piston 40 reduces the collection volume of collection chamber 42 , to force incompressible fluid out from collection chamber 42 through outlet 46 with outlet valve 66 forced into an open condition wherein outlet valve flange 67 is displaced from valve seat surface 69 of outlet valve base 68 .
- the pathway of fluid flow out from collection chamber 42 through first passage 38 is demonstrated by arrow “L 1 ”.
- This fluid flow continues into dispensation chamber 72 , as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
- inlet valve 48 remains in a closed condition, with valve flange 50 in contact with valve seat surface 52 , thus preventing liquid from exiting collection chamber 42 through inlet 44 .
- Fluid entering into dispensation chamber 72 exerts a fluid pressure, which acts against all surfaces to which the liquid is exposed, including dispensation piston 70 .
- the force “F 2 ” results in displacement of dispensation piston 70 against the second restorative force, thereby expanding the dispensation volume of dispensation chamber 72 .
- Each of discharge valve 90 and dispensation piston 70 represent movable structures exposed to fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 .
- Such movable structures are adapted to yield to pressure, but preferably initially yield at different pressure thresholds, and may also yield at different yield rates.
- dispensation piston 70 yields with movement against its second restorative force at a lower pressure than that required to cause plunger 95 of discharge valve 90 to yield with movement against its third restorative force. In this manner, as fluid pressure builds in dispensation chamber 72 , dispensation piston 70 moves against its second restorative force before discharge valve 90 opens.
- a mechanism is preferably provided to generate a dispensable liquid reservoir through a manual pumping action, wherein the liquid reservoir is released over a period of time that is equal to or greater than a pump cycle time period, which includes a “discharge phase” of operating actuator 56 to reduce volume in collection chamber 42 , and a “collection” phase in which force is removed from actuator 56 to permit collection chamber volume to expand with a new liquid charge.
- a pump cycle time period which includes a “discharge phase” of operating actuator 56 to reduce volume in collection chamber 42 , and a “collection” phase in which force is removed from actuator 56 to permit collection chamber volume to expand with a new liquid charge.
- One approach for developing such a liquid reservoir may be to manually pump liquid into a chamber of fixed volume. Once the pressure in the fixed-volume reservoir exceeds a threshold pressure of an outlet valve, the outlet valve may open to dispense the liquid at a metered rate.
- dispensation chamber 72 of the present invention utilizes an adjustable-volume chamber 72 so that fluid pressure builds only with an increasing restorative force generated by second spring 64 as dispensation piston 72 is displaced against the increasing restorative force of second spring 64 .
- This approach limits resistance to continued filling of dispensation chamber 72 , while nevertheless generating a reservoir for extended time liquid dispensation from spray mechanism 20 .
- a measure of yield resistance for dispensation piston 70 and discharge valve 90 may be defined herein as a “pressure resistance”, which is determined as follows:
- the restorative force applicable to dispensation piston 70 is the second restorative force, supplied in the illustrated example by second spring 76 .
- the restorative force applicable to discharge valve 90 is the third restorative force, generated in the illustrated example by third spring 98 applied against plunger 95 . It should be understood that the applicable restorative force is dependent upon the mechanism employed to urge the movable structures against fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 . In some embodiments, the restorative force may be determined or approximated pursuant to Hooke's Law, which is a principle that states that the force needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance is proportional to that distance:
- Hooke's Law is only a first-order linear approximation to the real response of springs and other elastic bodies to applied forces.
- the general principle, however, of increasing restorative force with increasing displacement from a neutral position holds true with respect to the restorative forces contemplated in the present invention. That is, as displacement of the movable body is increased, so too will the restorative force acting against the associated movable structure.
- the second restorative force increases with displacement of dispensation piston 70 under the fluid force, F 2 .
- the effective surface area (A) of the movable structure exposed to fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 is defined herein as the area of a profile surface that is normal to the applicable restorative force.
- a schematic illustration of a profile surface area of a hypothetical frusto-conical movable structure analogous to plunger 95 of discharge valve 90 is illustrated in FIG. 8 .
- surface 202 of body “A” is exposed to fluid pressure, with the applicable restorative force “F R ” is acting upon body A in the direction indicated.
- the effective surface area for the purposes of determining a pressure resistance of the present invention is the profile surface area 204 which, in the case of a frusto-conical body A, is the square of the radius dimension “r” multiplied by ⁇ .
- the effective surface area of dispensation piston 70 exposed to fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 is substantially greater than the effective surface area of plunger 95 exposed to the fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 .
- the pressure resistance of the discharge valve 90 is substantially greater than the pressure resistance of dispensation piston 70 .
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of spray mechanism 20 wherein a fluid pressure is present in dispensation chamber 72 sufficient to displace dispensation piston 70 , but is less than the threshold pressure required to open discharge valve 90 .
- This condition is indicative of a first initial pressure resistance of discharge valve 90 in a closed condition (“R V ”) that is greater than a second initial pressure resistance of dispensation piston 70 in a rest condition (“R P ”).
- the “rest condition” of dispensation piston 70 is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 3 , but overall represents a condition in which dispensation piston 70 moves no further at the urging of second spring 76 .
- FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment in which second spring 64 is calibrated with a spring force (k) suitable to permit dispensation piston 70 to move against the second restorative force when the fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 is less than the threshold pressure required to open discharge valve 90 .
- the dispensation chamber volume expands with increasing fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 , at least until the threshold pressure is reached.
- outlet valve 66 is closed subsequent to a pump discharge phase driving fluid from collection chamber 42 through first passage 38 into dispensation chamber 72 .
- fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 has displaced dispensation piston 70 to an extent at which a pressure resistance of dispensation piston 70 is equal to or greater than the first initial pressure resistance of discharge valve 90 .
- Fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 in FIG. 6 is equal to or greater than the threshold fluid pressure, which causes plunger 95 to move against the third restorative force exerted by third spring 98 .
- Discharge valve 90 is illustrated in FIG. 6 in an open condition permitting liquid flow along pathway L 2 through aperture 94 and second passage 86 , and finally out from orifice 100 .
- the threshold fluid pressure is greater than a minimum fluid pressure required in dispensation chamber 72 to maintain discharge valve 90 in an open condition.
- the “break” pressure required to open discharge valve 90 is greater than the fluid pressure required to maintain discharge valve 90 in an open condition, such as with plunger 95 separate from discharge valve seat structure 96 .
- a fluid pressure in dispensation chamber 72 that permits discharge valve 90 to close may be termed a second threshold pressure, such that, in some embodiments, the first threshold pressure may be greater than the second threshold pressure.
- orifice 100 may have a diameter that develops a desired flow restriction, thereby generating a back pressure to liquid flow out from orifice 100 .
- a liquid dispensing time is at least twice the discharge phase time of the pump cycle, and may more preferably be at least thrice the discharge phase time of the pump cycle.
- the term “dispensation time” means the time of liquid dispensation out from orifice 100 for each discharge valve opening cycle, which itself is defined by the cycle from discharge valve open to discharge valve close.
- discharge phase time is intended to mean the time of movement of charge piston 40 in forcing liquid from collection chamber 42 through outlet 46 for each pump cycle operation applied to actuator 56 .
- one discharge phase occurs during the time that a user depresses actuator 56 .
- orifice 100 may be in the range of between about 0.3-0.5 mm and more preferably between about 0.35-0.45 mm. Such diameter range is exemplary only for a particular embodiment, and is intended to demonstrate an appropriate orifice size for generating a flow restriction suitable to extend liquid dispensation cycle times.
- FIG. 7 illustrates the “collection phase” of the pump cycle, wherein the force F 1 is either reduced or removed from trigger portion 58 of actuator 56 , to permit the first restorative force to move charge piston 40 back toward a base position, as illustrated in FIG. 3 .
- outlet valve 66 is in a closed condition, while inlet valve 48 is forced into an open condition as a consequence of a reduced pressure in collection chamber 42 .
- the reduced pressure is developed as a consequence of the expanding collection chamber volume of collection chamber 42 with first spring 64 acting with the first restorative force against charge piston 40 .
- the reduced pressure developed in collection chamber 42 is sufficient to draw liquid from container 12 through tube 106 and third channel 50 to open inlet valve 48 for passage into collection chamber 42 .
- Direction arrow “L 3 ” illustrates the liquid flow from container 12 through inlet 44 into collection chamber.
- Return of charge piston 40 to its base position substantially fills collection chamber 42 with liquid, and substantially equalizes fluid pressure between collection chamber 42 and interior 16 of liquid container 12 .
- Inlet valve 48 thus re-closes, preventing drainage of liquid from collection chamber 42 through inlet 44 .
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Abstract
A liquid sprayer apparatus includes a multi-chamber spray mechanism, with at least one chamber being adapted to accumulate pressurized fluid for dispensation over an extended time period. The liquid sprayer apparatus is capable of emitting a liquid spray over a period of time that is substantially greater than a manual pump action applied to the trigger.
Description
- The present invention relates to manual liquid sprayers generally, and more particularly to a liquid sprayer apparatus that permits semi-continuous emission with discontinuous manual pumping.
- Liquid spray apparatus are widely used in a variety of applications. The simplest form of a liquid spray apparatus involves a manual pump mechanically connected to a piston that operates to draw liquid from a container, and also to discharge liquid from a collection chamber. For many apparatus, a manual pump trigger is actuated by the user to move a piston in a collection chamber against a spring force to discharge liquid from the collection chamber out through an orifice. Upon release of force against the actuator, the spring force acts to push the piston back toward an initial position, wherein a reduced pressure is developed in the collection chamber as a motive force to drive liquid from the container into the collection chamber. Typically, one-way valves at the inlet and the outlet of the collection chamber control the collection and discharge of the liquid. In this common arrangement, liquid is dispensed from the sprayer only as the actuator is manipulated to move the piston through the collection chamber during the “discharge” portion of the cycle. In other words, liquid is not dispensed from the sprayer apparatus during the “collection” portion of the pumping cycle.
- Another common type of liquid spray apparatus is a pressure sprayer, in which a pressure, typically pneumatic, is developed in a chamber through either manual or automatic means. Release from the pressure chamber is controlled by a valve that may be selectively operated by the user to introduce an elevated pressure into a liquid chamber, thereby driving liquid out from the liquid chamber through an orifice. Liquid emission will continue for so long as sufficient driving pressure is available in the pressure chamber. While pressure sprayers are useful for continuous spray applications, the mechanisms involved are typically more expensive to produce than the manual individual pump cycle spray apparatus described above, since pressure sprayers require a pressure chamber separate from the liquid chamber, and/or additional valving to accommodate the pressurization mechanism.
- A need therefore exists for a liquid spray apparatus that is capable of continuous or semi-continuous emission in a compact and inexpensive manual pump spray mechanism. With such an apparatus, the user is able to maintain liquid emission for a period of time between pumping actions.
- By means of the present invention, a liquid spray apparatus may exhibit a spray dispensation time that is substantially greater than a discharge phase of a pump cycle of a manual pump mechanism. The liquid spray dispensation time may be extended through the use of an adjustable volume dispensation chamber, in coordination with an outlet orifice of desired dimension. The adjustable volume dispensation chamber is facilitated by a movable piston acting against fluid pressure developed in the manual pumping action. Liquid spray dispensation initiates upon reaching a threshold fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber.
- In one embodiment, a liquid sprayer apparatus includes a collection chamber having a valve-controlled inlet and a valve-controlled outlet, with the collection chamber being defined at least in part by a charge piston. An actuator for moving the charge piston against a first restorative force is included to adjust a collection volume of the collection chamber. The apparatus further includes a dispensation chamber fluidically connected to the collection chamber through the valve-controlled outlet. The dispensation chamber is defined in part by a displaceable wall that is moveable against a second restorative force to adjust a dispensation volume of the dispensation chamber. The apparatus includes a discharge valve openable against a third restorative force by at least a threshold fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber to discharge liquid from a dispensation chamber. The discharge valve, in a closed condition, exhibits a first initial pressure resistance that is greater than a second initial pressure resistance of the displaceable wall in a rest condition. Pressure resistance is defined by:
-
R=F/A - Wherein:
-
- “F” is the restorative force applied against moveable structure exposed to fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber; and
- “A” is the effective surface area of moveable structure exposed to fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber.
- In another embodiment, a liquid sprayer apparatus includes a liquid container having an opening, and a spray mechanism sealingly engaegable to the liquid container adjacent to the opening in order to fluidically communicate with an interior of the liquid container. The spray mechanism includes a main body defining a first channel with a first channel wall and a second channel with a second channel wall fluidically connected to each other through a first passage. A charge piston coordinates with the first channel wall to define a collection chamber, with the charge piston itself defining a third channel through which liquid may be introduced to the collection chamber. A one-way inlet valve permits liquid flow from the container to the collection chamber. The spray apparatus further includes a dispensation piston and a discharge valve base coordinating with the second channel wall to define a dispensation chamber, wherein the dispensation piston is responsive to a fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber. A one-way outlet valve permits liquid flow from the collection chamber to the dispensation chamber through the first passage. An actuator is provided with the spray apparatus for selectively moving the charge piston with respect to the first channel wall against a first restorative force to reduce a collection chamber volume of the collection chamber. A one-way discharge valve is provided to permit liquid flow from the dispensation chamber through a second passage in the discharge valve base, wherein the discharge valve opens when the fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber exceeds a first threshold pressure.
-
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention during a discharge phase of a pump cycle; -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention during a discharge phase of a pump cycle; -
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention during liquid dispensation; -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention during a collection phase of a pump cycle; and -
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an effective surface area of a portion of the liquid sprayer apparatus of the present invention. - The objects and advantages enumerated above together with other objects, features, and advances represented by the present invention will now be presented in terms of detailed embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figures which are intended to be representative of various embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are recognized as being within the grasp of those having ordinary skill in the art.
- With reference now to the drawing figures, a
liquid sprayer apparatus 10 includes aliquid container 12 and anopening 14 for access tointerior 16 ofliquid container 12. Aneck 18 may surroundopening 14, and may provide a convenient location for engagement withspray mechanism 20. - A
skirt closure 22 may engage withneck 18, such as through a threadable engagement. Agasket 24 is supported by avalve base 26 to create a sealing engagement withneck 18 ofliquid container 12 whenskirt closure 22 securely engages withneck 18. Valvebase 26 is secured tomain body 28, which defines afirst channel 30 with afirst channel wall 32 and asecond channel 34 with asecond channel wall 36. The first andsecond channels main body 28 may be fluidically connected through afirst passage 38. -
charge piston 40 coordinates withfirst channel wall 32 to define acollection chamber 42 having a valve-controlledinlet 44 and a valve controlledoutlet 46. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , a one-way inlet valve 48 may be secured at a position to establish an openable seal withcharge piston 40, and may particularly be positioned adjacent to athird channel 50 ofcharge piston 40 to control liquid passage fromthird channel 50 tocollection chamber 42. One-way inlet valve 48 is illustrated inFIG. 3 in a closed condition, with avalve flange 50 contacting avalve seat surface 52 to block transmission of liquid into or out fromcollection chamber 42. - In the illustrated embodiment,
charge piston 40 includes afirst portion 41 that is in slidable engagement withfirst channel wall 32 to define at least a portion ofcollection chamber 42.Charge piston 40 includes asecond portion 49 that definesthird channel 50 through which fluid flow may be directed fromliquid container 12 to collection chamber 42 (through valve-controlled inlet 44).Second portion 49 is slidable with respect tovalve base 26, and sealingly engaged thereto with, for example, an O-ring gasket 54. - An
actuator 56 includes atrigger portion 58 and alift portion 60, whereinactuator 56 is secured tomain body 28 at apivot 62. Operation ofactuator 56 occurs through the application and release of force againsttrigger portion 58, wherein an applied force againsttrigger portion 58 causes rotation ofactuator 56 aboutpivot 62, which, in turn, rotateslift portion 60 aboutpivot 62. In the illustrated orientation, application of force againsttrigger portion 58 results in generally counter-clockwise rotation oflift portion 60 aboutpivot 62.Actuator 56 is mounted withlift portion 60 adjacent to bearing surface 43 ofcharge piston 40, so that rotational movement oflift portion 60 aboutpivot 62 moves chargepiston 40 with respect tofirst channel wall 32. Such movement is applied against a first restorative force that is generated by, for example, afirst spring 64. Other devices, such as elastic or resilient bodies, and the like are also contemplated as being capable of generating the first restorative force againstcharge piston 40. The first restorative force exerted uponcharge piston 40 is transferred to actuator 56 atlift portion 60, to thereby act against an operation force applied to triggerportion 58. In the absence of an operational force upontrigger portion 58, therefore,actuator 56 is urged byfirst spring 64 to rotate aboutpivot 62 to a base condition. Movement ofcharge piston 40 with respect tofirst channel wall 32 adjusts a collection volume ofcollection chamber 42. In the illustrated embodiment,collection chamber 42 is defined by surfaces of one-way inlet valve 48,charge piston 40,first channel wall 32, one-way outlet valve 66, andoutlet valve base 68 to whichoutlet valve 66 is secured.Outlet valve base 68 is secured tomain body 28. -
Spray mechanism 20 may further include adispensation piston 70 that coordinates withsecond channel wall 36, as well as with adischarge valve base 80 and adischarge valve 90 to define adispensation chamber 72 that is fluidically connected tocollection chamber 42 through valve-controlledoutlet 46 andfirst passage 38. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3 , one-way outlet valve 66 may include aflange 67 that contacts aseat portion 69 ofoutlet valve base 68 to block liquid transmission betweencollection chamber 42 anddispensation chamber 72 whenoutlet valve 66 is in a closed condition.Dispensation piston 70 is sealingly and slidably engaged withsecond channel wall 36. In some embodiments, one or more gaskets, such as O-ring type gaskets 74 are press-fit or otherwise position betweendispensation piston 70 andsecond channel wall 36.Dispensation piston 70 is preferably responsive to a fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72, whereindispensation piston 70 is movable against a second restorative force to adjust a dispensation volume ofdispensation chamber 72.Dispensation piston 70 may include awall 76 that is displaceable in its position relative to countervailing forces acting upon it. In particular, fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72 exerts a fluid force ondispensation piston 70, acting against the second restorative force that may be supplied by, for example, asecond spring 76. Mechanisms other thansecond spring 76, such as elastic or resilient bodies, however, are contemplated as being useful in generating the second restorative force urgingdispensation piston 70. -
Discharge valve base 80 may be secured tomain body 28 to aid inpositioning discharge valve 90 anddispensation piston 70 insecond channel 34. In some embodiments, one or more ofstop flange 82 andend flange 84 ofdischarge valve base 80 may act as a stop limiter to arrest movement ofdispensation piston 70 at the urging of the second restorative force in the absence or insufficiency of a fluid force exerted by a fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72. The illustration ofFIG. 3 shows dispensation piston 70 urged againststop flange 82 ofdischarge valve base 80. Stopflange 82 may also provide a mount location fordischarge valve cap 92, which includes anaperture 94 for permitting liquid flow passing throughdischarge valve 90 to transmit toorifice 100 innozzle 102. -
Discharge valve 90 is arranged for permitting liquid flow fromdispensation chamber 72 through asecond passage 86 indischarge valve base 80, whereindischarge valve 90 opens when the fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72 exceeds a first threshold pressure. In some embodiments,discharge valve 90 includes aplunger 95 urged into contact with a dischargevalve seat structure 96 by a third restorative force whendischarge valve 90 is in a closed condition. The third restorative force may, in some embodiments, be provided by athird spring 98, though other mechanisms are contemplated as providing the third restorative force indischarge valve 90 to permit one-way fluid flow out fromdispensation chamber 72. Each ofinlet valve 48,outlet valve 66, and dischargevalve 90 are illustrated inFIG. 3 in a closed condition. Fluid flow throughspray mechanism 20 will be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. - A
shroud 104 may be removably secured tomain body 28 for both aesthetic and functional purposes.Tube 106 may be provided for conveying liquid fromcontainer 12 tothird channel 50 ofcharge piston 40. In at least some embodiments,tube 106 may be connected tosecond portion 49 ofcharge piston 40, whereintube 106 moves withcharge piston 40, as driven byactuator 56 andfirst spring 64. Accordingly,tube 106 may preferably be sufficiently long to maintain submersion in the liquid incontainer 12 whentube 106 is moved upwardly withcharge piston 40 during a pump cycle. - As described herein, an aspect of the present invention is the continuous or semi-continuous liquid emission from
spray mechanism 20 during and between repeated pump cycles toactuator 56. The relationship amongdispensation piston 70 anddischarge valve 90 with the fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72 permits extended liquid discharge intervals that may continue for a period of time after actuator 56 (and charge piston 40) have ceased to be moved against the first restorative force. Such extended time liquid discharge may be facilitated bydispensation piston 70, and the potential energy accumulated bysecond spring 76 as a result of fluid pressure buildup indispensation chamber 72. Conversion of the accumulated potential energy insecond spring 76 to kinetic spring expansion energy may arise when a first threshold pressure indispensation chamber 72 is exceeded, causingdischarge valve 90 to open and permit discharge of liquid fromdispensation chamber 72 out throughsecond passage 86, and ultimately out fromspray mechanism 20 atorifice 100 ofnozzle 102. In this manner, liquid discharge fromspray mechanism 20 may occur independently from the operational status ofactuator 56, in that liquid discharge may occur even when an operating force has been removed fromtrigger portion 58 to allowfirst spring 64 to urgecharge piston 40 back to a base position. - Operation of an example embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 3-7 , whereinFIG. 3 illustrates a “base” condition forspray mechanism 20, in which each ofinlet valve 48,outlet valve 66, and dischargevalve 90 are in a closed condition, and each ofcharge piston 40 anddispensation piston 70 are in a base position, urged by respective restorative forces against a support structure. In this condition, each ofsprings -
FIG. 4 represents a first phase of a pumping cycle in which an operating force “F1” is applied by a user againsttrigger portion 58 ofactuator 56 to correspondingly movecharge piston 40 against the first restorative force developed byfirst spring 64. This movement ofcharge piston 40 reduces the collection volume ofcollection chamber 42, to force incompressible fluid out fromcollection chamber 42 throughoutlet 46 withoutlet valve 66 forced into an open condition whereinoutlet valve flange 67 is displaced fromvalve seat surface 69 ofoutlet valve base 68. The pathway of fluid flow out fromcollection chamber 42 throughfirst passage 38 is demonstrated by arrow “L1”. This fluid flow continues intodispensation chamber 72, as illustrated inFIG. 4 . During this discharge phase of the pumping cycle,inlet valve 48 remains in a closed condition, withvalve flange 50 in contact withvalve seat surface 52, thus preventing liquid from exitingcollection chamber 42 throughinlet 44. - Fluid entering into
dispensation chamber 72 exerts a fluid pressure, which acts against all surfaces to which the liquid is exposed, includingdispensation piston 70. The force “F2” results in displacement ofdispensation piston 70 against the second restorative force, thereby expanding the dispensation volume ofdispensation chamber 72. Each ofdischarge valve 90 anddispensation piston 70 represent movable structures exposed to fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72. Such movable structures are adapted to yield to pressure, but preferably initially yield at different pressure thresholds, and may also yield at different yield rates. In particular, it is desired thatdispensation piston 70 yields with movement against its second restorative force at a lower pressure than that required to causeplunger 95 ofdischarge valve 90 to yield with movement against its third restorative force. In this manner, as fluid pressure builds indispensation chamber 72,dispensation piston 70 moves against its second restorative force beforedischarge valve 90 opens. - In order to fulfill a purpose of the present invention, a mechanism is preferably provided to generate a dispensable liquid reservoir through a manual pumping action, wherein the liquid reservoir is released over a period of time that is equal to or greater than a pump cycle time period, which includes a “discharge phase” of operating
actuator 56 to reduce volume incollection chamber 42, and a “collection” phase in which force is removed fromactuator 56 to permit collection chamber volume to expand with a new liquid charge. One approach for developing such a liquid reservoir may be to manually pump liquid into a chamber of fixed volume. Once the pressure in the fixed-volume reservoir exceeds a threshold pressure of an outlet valve, the outlet valve may open to dispense the liquid at a metered rate. Such an approach, however, would likely result in operational challenges, in that the manual pumping operation would require inequal and dramatically increasing force onactuator 56 in an effort to continue to fill an already “filled” fixed-volume chamber. In fact, due to the incompressible nature of many liquids, desired pressure buildup in the reservoir would quickly become impossible under typical manual pumping forces. Instead,dispensation chamber 72 of the present invention utilizes an adjustable-volume chamber 72 so that fluid pressure builds only with an increasing restorative force generated bysecond spring 64 asdispensation piston 72 is displaced against the increasing restorative force ofsecond spring 64. This approach limits resistance to continued filling ofdispensation chamber 72, while nevertheless generating a reservoir for extended time liquid dispensation fromspray mechanism 20. - A measure of yield resistance for
dispensation piston 70 anddischarge valve 90 may be defined herein as a “pressure resistance”, which is determined as follows: -
R=F/A - Wherein:
-
- “F” is the respective restorative force applied against a movable structure exposed to fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber; and
- “A” is the effective surface area of movable structure exposed to fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber.
- As described above, the restorative force applicable to
dispensation piston 70 is the second restorative force, supplied in the illustrated example bysecond spring 76. The restorative force applicable to dischargevalve 90 is the third restorative force, generated in the illustrated example bythird spring 98 applied againstplunger 95. It should be understood that the applicable restorative force is dependent upon the mechanism employed to urge the movable structures against fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72. In some embodiments, the restorative force may be determined or approximated pursuant to Hooke's Law, which is a principle that states that the force needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance is proportional to that distance: -
F=k*X - Wherein:
-
- “k” is a constant factor characteristic of the spring (stiffness); and
- “X” is the displacement distance.
- It should also be understood, however, that Hooke's Law is only a first-order linear approximation to the real response of springs and other elastic bodies to applied forces. The general principle, however, of increasing restorative force with increasing displacement from a neutral position holds true with respect to the restorative forces contemplated in the present invention. That is, as displacement of the movable body is increased, so too will the restorative force acting against the associated movable structure. In the case of the
dispensation piston 70, for example, the second restorative force increases with displacement ofdispensation piston 70 under the fluid force, F2. - The effective surface area (A) of the movable structure exposed to fluid pressure in
dispensation chamber 72 is defined herein as the area of a profile surface that is normal to the applicable restorative force. A schematic illustration of a profile surface area of a hypothetical frusto-conical movable structure analogous to plunger 95 ofdischarge valve 90 is illustrated inFIG. 8 . As illustrated therein,surface 202 of body “A” is exposed to fluid pressure, with the applicable restorative force “FR” is acting upon body A in the direction indicated. The effective surface area for the purposes of determining a pressure resistance of the present invention is theprofile surface area 204 which, in the case of a frusto-conical body A, is the square of the radius dimension “r” multiplied by π. In the illustrated embodiment ofspray mechanism 20, the effective surface area ofdispensation piston 70 exposed to fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72 is substantially greater than the effective surface area ofplunger 95 exposed to the fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72. With such an arrangement, in an example condition in which the second restorative force is equal to the third restorative force, the pressure resistance of thedischarge valve 90 is substantially greater than the pressure resistance ofdispensation piston 70. As described above with respect to changing restorative force with displacement, however, the relative pressure resistances amongdispensation piston 72 anddischarge valve 90 correspondingly changes with displacement ofdispensation piston 70 against the second restorative force. -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion ofspray mechanism 20 wherein a fluid pressure is present indispensation chamber 72 sufficient to displacedispensation piston 70, but is less than the threshold pressure required to opendischarge valve 90. This condition is indicative of a first initial pressure resistance ofdischarge valve 90 in a closed condition (“RV”) that is greater than a second initial pressure resistance ofdispensation piston 70 in a rest condition (“RP”). The “rest condition” ofdispensation piston 70 is illustrated, for example, inFIG. 3 , but overall represents a condition in whichdispensation piston 70 moves no further at the urging ofsecond spring 76. Such condition may therefore be reached through either contact betweendispensation piston 70 and another body, such asstop flange 82, or whensecond spring 76 reaches its neutral condition at which the second restorative force equals zero, because the displacement value (X) is zero.FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment in whichsecond spring 64 is calibrated with a spring force (k) suitable to permitdispensation piston 70 to move against the second restorative force when the fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72 is less than the threshold pressure required to opendischarge valve 90. In such an embodiment, the dispensation chamber volume expands with increasing fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72, at least until the threshold pressure is reached. A further condition ofspray mechanism 20 is illustrated inFIG. 6 , in whichoutlet valve 66 is closed subsequent to a pump discharge phase driving fluid fromcollection chamber 42 throughfirst passage 38 intodispensation chamber 72. In the condition illustrated inFIG. 6 , fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72 has displaceddispensation piston 70 to an extent at which a pressure resistance ofdispensation piston 70 is equal to or greater than the first initial pressure resistance ofdischarge valve 90. Fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72 inFIG. 6 is equal to or greater than the threshold fluid pressure, which causesplunger 95 to move against the third restorative force exerted bythird spring 98.Discharge valve 90 is illustrated inFIG. 6 in an open condition permitting liquid flow along pathway L2 throughaperture 94 andsecond passage 86, and finally out fromorifice 100. In some embodiments, the threshold fluid pressure is greater than a minimum fluid pressure required indispensation chamber 72 to maintaindischarge valve 90 in an open condition. In other words, the “break” pressure required to opendischarge valve 90 is greater than the fluid pressure required to maintaindischarge valve 90 in an open condition, such as withplunger 95 separate from dischargevalve seat structure 96. A fluid pressure indispensation chamber 72 that permitsdischarge valve 90 to close may be termed a second threshold pressure, such that, in some embodiments, the first threshold pressure may be greater than the second threshold pressure. - To aid in extending the time period for dispensing liquid from
spray mechanism 20 whiledischarge valve 90 is in an open condition,orifice 100 may have a diameter that develops a desired flow restriction, thereby generating a back pressure to liquid flow out fromorifice 100. In one aspect of the present invention, a liquid dispensing time is at least twice the discharge phase time of the pump cycle, and may more preferably be at least thrice the discharge phase time of the pump cycle. For the purposes hereof, the term “dispensation time” means the time of liquid dispensation out fromorifice 100 for each discharge valve opening cycle, which itself is defined by the cycle from discharge valve open to discharge valve close. For the purposes hereof, the term “discharge phase time” is intended to mean the time of movement ofcharge piston 40 in forcing liquid fromcollection chamber 42 throughoutlet 46 for each pump cycle operation applied toactuator 56. By way of example, one discharge phase occurs during the time that a user depressesactuator 56. In some embodiments,orifice 100 may be in the range of between about 0.3-0.5 mm and more preferably between about 0.35-0.45 mm. Such diameter range is exemplary only for a particular embodiment, and is intended to demonstrate an appropriate orifice size for generating a flow restriction suitable to extend liquid dispensation cycle times. -
FIG. 7 illustrates the “collection phase” of the pump cycle, wherein the force F1 is either reduced or removed fromtrigger portion 58 ofactuator 56, to permit the first restorative force to movecharge piston 40 back toward a base position, as illustrated inFIG. 3 . In this illustrated condition,outlet valve 66 is in a closed condition, whileinlet valve 48 is forced into an open condition as a consequence of a reduced pressure incollection chamber 42. The reduced pressure is developed as a consequence of the expanding collection chamber volume ofcollection chamber 42 withfirst spring 64 acting with the first restorative force againstcharge piston 40. The reduced pressure developed incollection chamber 42 is sufficient to draw liquid fromcontainer 12 throughtube 106 andthird channel 50 to openinlet valve 48 for passage intocollection chamber 42. Direction arrow “L3” illustrates the liquid flow fromcontainer 12 throughinlet 44 into collection chamber. Return ofcharge piston 40 to its base position substantially fillscollection chamber 42 with liquid, and substantially equalizes fluid pressure betweencollection chamber 42 andinterior 16 ofliquid container 12.Inlet valve 48 thus re-closes, preventing drainage of liquid fromcollection chamber 42 throughinlet 44. - The invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent statutes, and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use embodiments of the invention as required. However, it is to be understood that various modifications may be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.
Claims (20)
1. A liquid sprayer apparatus, comprising:
a collection chamber having a valve-controlled inlet and a valve-controlled outlet, said collection chamber being defined at least in part by a charge piston;
an actuator for moving said charge piston against a first restorative force to adjust a collection volume of said collection chamber;
a dispensation chamber fluidically connected to said collection chamber through said valve-controlled outlet, said dispensation chamber being defined in part by a displaceable wall that is movable against a second restorative force to adjust a dispensation volume of said dispensation chamber;
a discharge valve openable against a third restorative force by at least a threshold fluid pressure in said dispensation chamber to discharge liquid from said dispensation chamber, said discharge valve in a closed condition exhibiting a first initial pressure resistance that is greater than a second initial pressure resistance of said displaceable wall in a rest condition, wherein pressure resistance is defined by:
R=F/A
R=F/A
Wherein:
F is the restorative force applied against movable structure exposed to fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber; and
A is the effective surface area of movable structure exposed to fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber.
2. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 1 wherein, upon an extent of displacement of said displaceable wall, a second pressure resistance of said displaceable wall is equal to or greater than said first initial pressure resistance of said discharge valve.
3. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said displaceable wall reaches said extent of displacement when a fluid pressure exerted in said dispensation chamber is equal to or greater than said threshold fluid pressure.
4. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said second restorative force increases with displacement from the rest condition of said displaceable wall.
5. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the threshold fluid pressure is greater than a minimum fluid pressure required in said dispensation chamber to maintain said discharge valve in an open condition.
6. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said discharge valve includes a plunger that is movable against said third restorative force to open said discharge valve.
7. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said first initial pressure resistance is defined by the third restorative force when said discharge valve is in a closed condition, divided by an effective surface area of said plunger exposed to fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber.
8. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said second initial pressure resistance is defined by the second restorative force when said displaceable wall is in a rest condition, divided by an effective surface area of said displaceable wall exposed to fluid pressure in the dispensation chamber.
9. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said displaceable wall forms part of a dispensation piston.
10. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 1 , including a discharge orifice for dispensing liquid from the liquid sprayer apparatus, said discharge orifice being fluidically connected to said dispensation chamber through said discharge valve, said discharge orifice having a diameter effective to establish a flow restriction against liquid flow out from said dispensation chamber, wherein a liquid dispensation time is at least twice as long as a discharge phase time of said charge piston.
11. A liquid sprayer apparatus, comprising:
a liquid container having an opening;
a spray mechanism sealingly engageable to said liquid container adjacent said opening to fluidically communicate with an interior of said liquid container, said spray mechanism including:
(i) a main body defining a first channel with a first channel wall and a second channel with a second channel wall fluidically connected to each other through a first passage;
(ii) a charge piston coordinating with said first channel wall to define a collection chamber, said charge piston defining a third channel through which liquid may be introduced to said collection chamber;
(iii) a one-way inlet valve permitting liquid flow from said container to said collection chamber;
(iv) a dispensation piston and a discharge valve base coordinating with said second channel wall to define a dispensation chamber, said dispensation piston being responsive to a fluid pressure in said dispensation chamber;
(v) a one-way outlet valve permitting liquid flow from said collection chamber to said dispensation chamber through said first passage;
(vi) an actuator for selectively moving said charge piston with respect to said first channel wall against a first restorative force to reduce a collection chamber volume of said collection chamber; and
(vii) a one-way discharge valve for permitting liquid flow from said dispensation chamber through a second passage in said discharge valve base, wherein said discharge valve opens when the fluid pressure in said dispensation chamber exceeds a first threshold pressure.
12. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said dispensation piston is urged against the fluid pressure by a second restorative force.
13. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 12 , including a first spring capable of exerting said first restorative force against said charge piston.
14. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 13 , including a second spring capable of exerting said second restorative force against said dispensation piston.
15. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said second spring is calibrated to permit said dispensation piston to move against said second restorative force when the fluid pressure in said dispensation chamber is less than said threshold pressure.
16. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 15 wherein a dispensation chamber volume expands with increasing fluid pressure in said dispensation chamber at least until said first threshold pressure is reached.
17. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 16 wherein said discharge valve closes when the fluid pressure in said dispensation chamber falls below a second threshold pressure.
18. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 17 wherein said first threshold pressure is greater than said second threshold pressure.
19. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said discharge valve is connected to said discharge valve base.
20. A liquid sprayer apparatus as in claim 11 , including a tube for conveying liquid from said container to said third channel of said charge piston.
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/150,617 US9943867B2 (en) | 2016-05-10 | 2016-05-10 | Extended emission time liquid sprayer |
US15/216,847 US9981278B2 (en) | 2016-05-10 | 2016-07-22 | Extended emission time liquid sprayer |
US15/422,670 US20170328361A1 (en) | 2016-05-10 | 2017-02-02 | Fluid Pump |
JP2017093073A JP6454374B2 (en) | 2016-05-10 | 2017-05-09 | Fluid pump |
EP17170481.0A EP3243571B1 (en) | 2016-05-10 | 2017-05-10 | Fluid pump |
CN201710323441.9A CN107352152A (en) | 2016-05-10 | 2017-05-10 | Hydraulic pump |
ES17170481T ES2918503T3 (en) | 2016-05-10 | 2017-05-10 | fluid pump |
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US15/150,617 US9943867B2 (en) | 2016-05-10 | 2016-05-10 | Extended emission time liquid sprayer |
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US15/216,847 Continuation-In-Part US9981278B2 (en) | 2016-05-10 | 2016-07-22 | Extended emission time liquid sprayer |
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Cited By (1)
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EP4032618A1 (en) * | 2021-01-21 | 2022-07-27 | Zhejiang Z&Z Industrial Co., Ltd. | A pre-compression miniaturized atomizing device |
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US9943867B2 (en) | 2018-04-17 |
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